The Last Stand
Photo by John F. Russell | Buy a print of this photo
Former Colorado Rapids and World Cup Soccer player Marcelo Balboa was in Steamboat Springs Monday helping with Rob Bohlmann’s Steamboat Soccer Academy. Balboa, who retired from professional soccer in 2002, was in town lending a helping hand to some of America’s future stars. “This camp fell at a good time for me, and I needed a chance to come to paradise for a few days,” Balboa said. After spending six seasons with the Rapids from 1997 to 2001, Balboa was one of the most recognized names in professional soccer. He hosts and participates in several camps each year, but says he is picky about which camps he will coach at. “I don’t want to do a camp if it’s more like day care,” Balboa said. “I want to work with players who are eager to learn, and want to step up to that next level of soccer. The Steamboat Soccer Academy, which drew 165 players, ends today. Bohlmann has organized the camp for 13 summers, and says it’s a great preview for the Steamboat Mountain Soccer Tournament. Balboa said he hoped the players he visits with in this week’s camp will learn a little something about the game, but more importantly leave with a love of soccer he hopes will last a lifetime.
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